For a healthy pre- or post- workout snack, try these homemade energy bars with peanut butter, banana, and oats! Similar to granola bars, they’re easy to make with only 5 ingredients, and they’re high in protein, fiber, and healthy carbs to give you that boost of energy you need.
The other day, I had a cooking catastrophe in an attempt to make healthy “cookies.”
Well, catastrophe may be kind of a strong word. Because out of it was born these super tasty, super healthy peanut butter and banana energy bars with only 5 ingredients! Here’s the story.
I got it in my head that I wanted to be “healthy” even though I was craving a cookie something fierce.
So, I tried making those two-ingredient “cookies” you always see on Pinterest… you know, the ones made only from mashed bananas and oats?
I am telling you right now: bananas and oats do not a cookie make.
If you want a cookie, do NOT attempt this, whatever you do. To future Elizabeth: when you want cookies, just make them! With BUTTER. And FLOUR.
Like these spicy ginger date cookies. Or these orange chai spice cookies.
But, like I said before, I did learn something from the experience! While my two-ingredient experiment did not taste anything like the cookies I was craving, they didn’t taste bad.
They actually had a fluffy, banana bread-ish texture even though it had no flour (since bananas firm up when they bake and act as a binding agent). They were moist, just like banana bread, and somewhat sweet, from the natural sugars in the banana.
And then my food blogger brain got to thinking: this would make a great energy bar!
With some modifications, of course. This is Bowl of DELICIOUS, after all, not Bowl of “Eh, not bad.” And these bars are definitely delicious.
But I DID whip up these delicious and healthy breakfast cookies as well, packed with dried fruit and oats. Yum.
What makes these peanut butter and banana oat bars healthy?
These granola bars have only 5 healthy, natural ingredients: bananas, peanut butter, oats, nuts/seeds, and honey.
Throw a little cinnamon/vanilla/other spices in there too, if you’re feeling crazy.
Maybe even some chocolate chips! YUM.
They are packed full of carbs, healthy fats, and protein, with nothing acidic or too flavorful to cause indigestion while working out, and they will keep you full and satisfied for a long time.
They are the PERFECT pre-hike/pre-run/pre-workout snack. WAY better than a Power Bar, for sure!
How to make peanut butter, oat, and banana energy bars
They are so easy to make. Just mix some the ingredients with a mixer (I use my KitchenAid mixer), spread in a baking dish, and bake.
- First, mix mashed banana, oats, peanut butter, sliced almonds, and some honey (and vanilla extract and cinnamon for extra credit) with a standing or hand mixer. The dough will be quite thick.
- Line a baking dish with parchment paper and spread the dough in as evenly as possible
- Bake and slice!
One important note: make sure you allow to cool completely before you cut into it, otherwise it may fall apart.
Tips and Tricks
- For ripe bananas whenever you want them, store very ripe extras in your freezer. When you want to use them, just microwave for one minute, peel, and you have perfectly soft, ripe bananas for baking.
- For a peanut butter substitute– you can substitute almond butter or another nut butter. I sometimes make my own peanut butter– it’s SO EASY.
- Instead of sliced almonds– you can use any combination of nuts and/or seeds you want. Pecans, peanuts, or other nuts, in addition to seeds such as sunflower, flax, or pumpkin seeds can be used as well.
- For a nut-free version, you can easily substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter, and the sliced almonds with sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
Use whatever you have in your pantry to make it easy!
What do these energy bars taste like?
These energy bars are kind of like granola bars, but have a bread-ier, fluffier texture to them. They aren’t as crunchy as your traditional granola bars.
In fact, they taste very much like a dense banana bread.
They are moist, they bind together well, and they are sweet and salty from the peanut butter and honey. They stay good at room temperature for a week, they are inexpensive to make, and are freezable.
And best of all, they give you a huge boost of energy from all-natural, real ingredients. They are perfect not only for before working out, but for a snack at work, for a breakfast on the go, or for road trips with hungry kids.
Or road trips with hungry adults.
Speaking of road trips, here is the real reason why I made these! Zach and I are driving to Maine tomorrow and are planning on bringing these energy bars for snacking on for the four hour drive.
We’re also going snowshoeing! These energy bars will be great to bring with us on our trek in the wilderness.
If we get stranded, at least we will have snacks.
Other recipes with bananas and oats
- DIY no bake chewy granola bars
- How to make your own instant oatmeal packets
- Cardamom coconut granola
- Healthy Banana Bread made with olive oil
- Blueberry, banana, and oat muffins
Check out all my appetizer and snack recipes here.
Did you make this peanut butter and banana energy bars recipe? Please click the stars below to comment and Rate this Recipe
5 Ingredient Peanut Butter and Banana Energy Bars
Equipment
- Hand mixer
Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup, for a vegan version
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup sliced almonds or other nut/seed combination
Instructions
- Add oats (2 cups) and almonds (1 cup) and mix until combined.
- Turn out onto a parchment covered baking dish (about 9x9 inches). Press and flatten with a spatula until evenly distributed.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until golden brown on edges.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting bars.
- Store at room temperature for a week or freeze for up to 6 months in an airtight container or wrapped individually in plastic wrap.
Notes
- Variations: Add chocolate chips, other spices like nutmeg, or other extracts like almond.
- For a nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter and use sunflower seeds and/or pumpkin seeds instead of almonds.
- If you're gluten-sensitive, make sure to buy gluten-free oats.
- If your peanut butter is salt-free, I recommend adding 1/4 teaspoon or so of kosher salt to the mix.
Nutrition
Nutrition Information Disclaimer
The provided nutrition information is my best estimate and does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. I use an automatic API to calculate this information. Feel free to calculate it yourself using one of these tools:
Jon
Could I get the macronutrients for the bar???
Elizabeth
I use a super handy online calculator to figure out calories and nutrition facts that might be helpful for you: https://www.caloriecount.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php Looks like there are 273 calories per bar with 15.8 grams of fat (24% DV), 27.9 grams of carbs (9% DV), and 9.2 grams of protein. Hope that helps!
Jon
Thanks that helped a ton! Any chance you would know the count of the simple carbs (sugar) by itself apart from the complex carb?
Elizabeth
Does this help? This is what the calculator said:
Total Carbohydrates 20.4g
Dietary Fiber 4.1g
Sugars 12.1g
Vicky
I just made these today after looking over your recipes. The chicken was so delicious that I decided to try these. Another wonderful recipe !!! I was short a half cup of peanut butter so I added Nutella. Super !! Also threw in some mini chocolate chips. This is a wonderful and fun to make healthy snack or mini meal. Can’t wait to see what you post next. Love your recipes !!!!!
Elizabeth
Oh my gosh Nutella?? What a great idea! Thanks so much! :)
Stefanie
This is the perfect recipe I’ve been looking for! It came out delicious. I also added some frozen berries and dates. Thank you!!
Elizabeth
Love the idea about adding berries and dates! Definitely trying that next time :-)
Cindy
Going to make these tomorrow to take to my daughter at college.
What size baking dish? 8×8 or 9×13?
Elizabeth
What a nice gesture for your daughter! I’m sure she will appreciate them, and I hope she likes them :-) An 8×8 dish is best.
Cindy
Thank you for your quick response! Trying to eat healthy snacks at school can be a challenge so after receiving her request for “something healthy”, I’m going to attempt your 5 Ingredient PB & banana energy bars and also the Banana Blueberry Muffins. Happy to have found your recipes! Thanks!
George
I didn’t have honey so I added an egg to mixture. I used walnuts and then added 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. I guess it is not the same recipe now but it was good. Not to sweet at all, so the chocolate chips were very welcome.
Elizabeth
Thanks for sharing your substitutions! The honey does not really bind it together- the banana does that. The honey is just a sweetener. So while the egg added some protein (which is great!) it wasn’t necessary :-) And good job adding the chocolate chips- I’ll have to try that next time!
Katy
Just made these! I added two bananas and dried cranberries. THEY’RE DELICIOUS! The perfect snack before my adult gymnastics classes!
Elizabeth
Awesome idea about the cranberries! I’ll have to try that next time. Thanks, and so glad you liked them!
Ann
can I bake without the baking sheet if I don’t have ? Will it stick?
Elizabeth
You mean without the parchment paper? I’ve never tried, but I think it would be fine as long as you grease it with butter or oil before cooking!
Ann
oh ya that’s what I meant. Alright then I’ll be using coconut oil. Love the recipe!! Thanks for sharing!!
Elizabeth
That sounds perfect! Hope you like them :-)
Ann
Just finished making them.. Perfect !!?
Betsy
Hi, these are delicious!!! Made them per recipe with almonds, any idea how many calories/sugar per bar?!
Elizabeth
Thanks, Betsy! Looks like there are about 273 calories per bar (if you make 12 of them from this batch) and 11g. sugar. I use this nifty calculator online to figure out these things- it’s awesome! http://www.caloriecount.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php Hope that helps :-)
V
Success! Just made them and they’re delicious. I only has 2 bananas so i added half a cup apple sauce. I also used pumpkin seed butter instead of peanut butter. Great recipe!
Elizabeth
Woo hoo! So glad you liked them :-) Great idea to use pumpkin seed butter. I’ve never had that before! Love trying new foods- can’t wait to pick some up. Thanks for the comment!
The Yummy Lounge
looks very delicious…Thanks for sharing…
Bethany
These sound awesome!! Do you have an ideas for a sub for the banana? My kids don’t love bananas. Thanks!!
Elizabeth
Hi Bethany! Hm, this is tricky. Bananas are what binds these bars together and makes them moist. The banana taste is more like banana bread that raw bananas, so maybe your kids will like them more since it tastes different? Plus, you can play around with the spices to cover up the banana taste (add bunches of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even cocoa powder to make them chocolaty!) Other than that, as a substitute for the bananas, I would recommend trying to use more oats, more peanut butter, and maybe an egg or two to act as a binder (like a veggie burger). Hope this is helpful! :-)
Bethany
Awesome-will try it thank you!!!
Tara
try applesauce
Leigh
Any substitutes for honey? Do not like honey…
Elizabeth
I think maple syrup would work great! You can also just use plain old sugar, or brown sugar.
Rhonda
I made these amazing bars today with maple syrup and it’s great…. I added walnuts for the nuts as that’s all I had on hand when I found the recipe! Thanks for sharing
Elizabeth
LOVE that you used maple syrup! I need to try that next time. Glad you liked them :-)
Amanda
These look so good! Sometimes energy bar recipes have way too much ‘stuff’ in them (nuts, coconut, things I don’t like :P) but this recipe has the perfect mix– peanut butter and banana? YUM! Thanks for sharing– I added you to my Feedly, all your recipes look so good and I am so glad I found your blog through the BlogHer group!
Elizabeth
Thanks so much, Amanda! And I agree, the simplicity of these bars is what makes them great :-)
Amanda @ The Kitcheneer
So much yes! I am totally into energy bars right now and this would make the perfect post-workout snack!
Aimee
I love simple recipes like this since I’m not a big cook. Thanks for sharing! :)
katie mazur
Love these! They will be my next on the go breakfast treats!!!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl
I love the combo of peanut butter and banana so these energy bars look delicious!
Julie @ Tastes of Lizzy T
I love having snacks like this on hand for my kids who seem to eat constantly! Thanks for this new idea!
shalama
OMG! I am making these this weekend.
Marcy
These look like a perfect snack for me to bring to work. I’ve been making an oatmeal bar that’s more complicated than these.
Denise
I like that there aren’t a ton of ingredients and these aren’t loaded with sugar. Will have to try!